The First Thursday Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam Series will continue at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center on Jan. 5 with a concert featuring Ric Ledford and Reems Creek Incident.

The 7 p.m. performance by the Buncombe County band will be followed by an 8 p.m. jam session, in which local musicians are invited to participate.

Playing a blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, Ric Ledford and Reems Creek Incident includes Ric Ledford on guitar and lead vocals, Jody Wood on banjo and harmony vocals, Russell Roe on mandolin and harmony vocals, and Travis Gentry on the bass.

The concerts and jam sessions will continue at the Mountain Heritage Center through the winter, with programs from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. The lineup of upcoming performers includes the New Southern Ramblers.

The events are free. Pickers and singers of all ages and experience levels are invited to take part in the jam sessions, and the events also are open to those who just want to listen.

The Mountain Heritage Center is located on the ground floor of WCU’s H.F. Robinson Administration Building.